Make Central Park West Safe! Mayor de Blasio, Install a Protected Bike Lane

A young tourist exploring New York City on a bicycle was killed on Central Park West because the bicycle lane where she rode was inadequate and unprotected. Unprotected bike lanes put all New Yorkers at risk. Since 2011, drivers injured or killed 136 cyclists on Central Park West.

The horrific loss of Madison Jane Lyden was both predictable and preventable. Statistics show that physically protected bike lanes protect all New Yorkers, dramatically reducing injuries, crashes, speeding, and bicycling on the sidewalk.

People on bikes should be shielded from reckless drivers and double-parked cars. We demand a two-way protected bike lane on Central Park West. Sign the petition to add your voice.

This petition will be delivered to

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Member Helen Rosenthal (District 6), Council Member Mark Levine (District 7); Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Community Board 7

Your administration has proven that protected bike lanes dramatically reducing injuries, crashes, speeding, and bicycling on the sidewalk. On August 10, 2018, a young tourist exploring New York City by bicycle was killed on Central Park West because the bike lane where she rode her bike was inadequate and unprotected.

Since 2011, drivers have killed and injured 136 cyclists injured or killed on Central Park West. As you said at the scene of the crash, Madison Jane Lyden "was doing everything she was supposed to be doing." She died because the bike lane where she rode was not doing what it was supposed to: protecting her while she rode her bike.

This horrific crash was predictable and preventable. Now, I am joining countless New Yorkers in demanding a Class 1 two-way protected bike lane on Central Park West. Please instruct your Department of Transportation to prioritize the protection of cyclists on Central Park West today.

The fatal route that Madison Jane Lyden took is the only existing northbound bike lane on the Upper West Side. There is no safe alternative for people to travel north of Midtown West by bicycle until West 72nd Street, where the lifesaving Amsterdam Avenue bike lane begins. A two-way protected bike lane on Central Park West will provide safe passage to that connection.

The death of Madison Jane Lyden is testament that painted bike lanes are not enough to protect cyclists. The danger of heavy car and truck traffic, and near-constant threat of double-parking is killing us. You know that protected bike lanes save lives. Please protect us on Central Park West.

Your message has been sent to NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Member Helen Rosenthal (District 6), Council Member Mark Levine (District 7); Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Community Board 7.